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UFC’s ‘Paddy the Baddy’ addresses friend’s suicide after win in the octagon

Chris Graham
wrestling
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Paddy Pimblett has a nickname, “Paddy the Baddy,” he has the “it” factor, according to Barstool Sports president Dave Portnoy, who signed the MMA star to a brand ambassador deal.

He’s a tough guy in a tough guy sport.

And he was in tears after his win at UFC Fight Night Saturday night.

He’d already dedicated his fight to 4-year-old Baby Lee Hodgson, who died last month after a battle with pediatric cancer.

Then Pimblett revealed another loss.

“I woke up on Friday morning 4 a.m. to a message that one of my friends back home had killed himself,” Pimblett said after his second-round submission win over Jordan Leavitt. “This was five hours before my weigh-in. So, Ricky, lad, that’s for you.”

Pimblett used his post-fight in-ring interview to encourage men to be more open in talking about and addressing their mental health needs.

“There’s a stigma in this world that men can’t talk,” Pimblett said. “Listen, if you’re a man, and you’ve got weight on your shoulders, and you think the only way you can solve it is by killing yourself, please speak to someone! Speak to anyone! People would rather — I know I’d rather they cry on my shoulder rather than go to his funeral next week. So please, let’s get rid of this stigma. And men, start talking!”

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255.

Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019, and Team of Destiny: Inside Virginia Basketball’s Run to the 2019 National Championship, and The Worst Wrestling Pay-Per-View Ever, published in 2018. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, or subscribe to his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].